Many people are misinformed on the subject of spousal support. There are a number of misconceptions, mainly surrounding the supported spouse being entitled to the “lifestyle of the marriage.” The law requires a much more nuanced analysis than that.
Another misconception is that spousal support is only for women. Not true. It is called spousal support for a reason. I have had a number of cases in which spousal support for the husband was an issue. This support is for spouses who cannot support themselves without the assistance of the higher marital breadwinner- wife or husband. The question is relative income, not gender.
Generally, men still earn more income than a woman would for doing the same job. However, if a female doctor marries a male sales clerk, for example, that husband probably earned far less than his wife for the entirety of the marriage. In such a circumstance, the husband likely would be entitled to spousal support. This is a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the law.
Every high wage-earning wife who is contemplating divorce should consult with a family law attorney to find out her possible exposure to a spousal support order; it is better to know beforehand and plan for it, than to find out when you are standing in court being ordered to pay. And if you consult with an attorney who tells you, “the court would never order you to pay spousal support”, consult with another attorney. Don’t hire an attorney who tells you what you want to hear, instead what you need to know.